The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-31
Some Questions About the Gas Trust.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal.
I am 8 subscriber to the Consumers Gas
Trust, and have paid my 20 per cent. on the first
call, and, in common with the other subscribers,
am advised by the officers of the trust and
through the newspapers, that over $685. 000 or
within about s., 600 OF the full amount OF the
first assessment, has been paid into the treasury
OF the trust. am also advised of another call
for 10 per cent. our subscriptions, payable i'm
mediately Before paying this assessment some
of US would like to know what has been done
with the money already paid in. From all that
1 can learn from the officers OF the trust it does
not appear that money paid in has been ex-
pended or that 1T is likely to be expended for
some time to come. What is the use in piling
up the money in the hands of the treasurer SO
long In advance of its being needed, since we
are advised that it is not contemplated by the
trust to bring gas into the city until next fall.
In the absence of gas, will need our money to
buy COAL at least the money is Just as secure in
our hands as 1t is IN the hands of the treasurer
or in his depository bank. The only considera-
bic expenditure made by the trust, of which we
are advised, has been the purchase of the wells
and the leases of what is called the Cooper com
pany for Sl5, 600. Now it is a fact, I believe,
that the Cooper company offered to sell their
property to the Indianapolis company for sIO-
600, which that company declined to pay for it.
because it not worth so much, and that
thereuDon the trust bought the same property
for So, 600. Now If il be true that the Cooper
company would sell for $40 000 why should the
trust pay S0,U0U more for its w no got the benefit
of the extra So. 0002 Another thing l would like
to know is. why we are required, in agreeing to
take gas from the trust, waive the clause in
the ordinance requiring the trust, in common
with other companies. to file bond in the
of 500, 600. to protect the consumer from dam
ages by OF defective pipes,
ETC.. etc. The trust officers and their
organ. the News. oppose any change
in the ordinance; then what excuse is there for
demanding this waiver of of the most i'm
portant provisions of the ordinarce2 IF the
dinance requires bond. and the ordinance must
not be changed, then the waiver of this
protecting clause should not De demanded by
the trust. If the bond clause of the ordinance
can be waived, why not the meter clause. the
price clause any other provision, or, short,
any all other provisions of the ordinance, and
the terms made matter of agreement, the
trust proposes TO make it in this particular IL
one provision may be waived, then any other
provisions, all Others for that matter, may
be waived. / have interest in the Indianapo.
lis Gas Company. but interested in the gas
trust; but want gas. and will take it from the
first company that and will furnish it. and I
do not want to pay for gas and still have to buy
coal. If the trust is of the people and for the
people, the people should know how the money
they have paid in is expended before they pay in
money solely to he idle IN the hands of the
urer. CONSUMER.